Application of atomic force microscopy to visualization of DNA, chromatin, and chromosomes

The scanning force microscope (SFM, also called the atomic force microscope, AFM) provides a new and powerful method for visualization and manipulation of biological samples. Its high precision and sensitivity allow the investigator to interrogate samples at very high spatial resolution and simultaneously accumulate a variety of data types, including topography, viscoelasticity, chemical properties, and local friction. We provide here a brief review of the literature describing the current state of the art in the application of SFM to the study of DNA, chromatin and chromosomes, and some examples from this laboratory. Suggestions for future directions of this technology are also presented.